HPSEBL to be strengthened: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over a review meeting of the Energy Department here today, reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) and assured all possible support to ensure improved services for the people of the state.
The Chief Minister said that large-scale recruitment of field staff would be done to ensure seamless ground-level operations. He appreciated the vital role played by the HPSEBL officers and employees in maintaining consistent electricity supply across the state.
Sh. Sukhu stated that several HPSEBL officers were currently serving on deputation in the Directorate of Energy, Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited and Power Corporation. He directed that these officers be given the option to be permanently absorbed in their respective organization by April 30. The remaining vacant posts would be filled by the state government on priority to ensure efficient functioning of the organization.
He further said that the 100 MW Uhl Phase-III hydro power project would soon be formally inaugurated. The project, which had suffered damages due to a penstock burst on 17th May, 2020 was expedited by the present state government with a provision of financial assistance of Rs. 185 crore. As a result, 2.97 crore units of electricity have already been generated since its commissioning. Initiated in 2003, the project has been completed after a span of 22 years, owing to the focused efforts of the present state government. Once fully operational, Uhl Phase-III is expected to generate 392 million units of electricity annually, contributing approximately Rs. 200 crore in revenue to the state each year.
Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Director Energy Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, Managing Director HPSEBL Sandeep Kumar, along with other senior officials of the department also attended the meeting.
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